1, Aug 2024
NSDC Unveils Women-Led Entrepreneurship Program, Ministry of Skill Development Announces
Mumbai, August 1, 2024 – In a pivotal move towards empowering women entrepreneurs and spurring economic growth, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is excited to unveil the Women Entrepreneurship Program. This initiative, aims to tackle the challenges faced by women in entrepreneurship by offering crucial skills, knowledge, and networking opportunities.
The program has been launched with the introduction of complimentary self-learning basic entrepreneurship courses available in multiple languages on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). Upon completion of these courses, participants will receive a co-branded certificate from NSDC, Britannia Industries and National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), acknowledging their entrepreneurial skills and competencies. This initiative aims to empower approximately 25 lakh women across India, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to start and grow successful businesses.
The initiative will culminate in a grand finale where the top 50 contestants will present their business ideas to a distinguished jury. To further encourage innovation and excellence, Britannia Industries will award financial grants of 10 lakh rupees each to 10 of the most successful contestants.
At the launch of this program, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, GOI said, “It is our privilege that Britannia has partnered with us, focusing on women entrepreneurship.
We have achieved significant progress in entrepreneurship through NIESBUD and special programs with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Rural Development and other ministries. We are also collaborating closely with other corporates and government departments, to provide skill training to women’s self-help groups, whether individually or collectively, and to help organize them into various business entities.
In the skilling segment, under Jan Shikshan Sansthan, 82% of our trainees are women. In the PMKVY short-term training program, close to 45% of the participants are women.”
Echoing this sentiment, Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, COO (Officiating CEO), NSDC & MD, NSDC International stated, “Today, this program is about women-led entrepreneurship and aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision for women development. One of the most important component of this is that private and public sector organisation are going together telling women to have entrepreneurial ambitions. From Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao to Lakhpati Didi, India has travelled a lot of distance when it comes to women development.”
Speaking about Britannia’s motivation to join forces with NSDC, Shri Rajneet Singh Kohli, CEO and Executive Director, Britannia Industries, said “Britannia Marie Gold’s vision is to help women entrepreneurs to soar together to do more. Our MoU with the National Skill Development Corporation is a game-changer for women’s empowerment in India. By providing free courses and advanced training to millions of aspiring women entrepreneurs, we are not just opening doors but breaking down barriers. This partnership amplifies our commitment to creating a nurturing ecosystem where women can lead, innovate, and drive our economy forward. Together, we are empowering women to reach their full potential.””
The Indian government is dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs through opportunities for essential skills development, access to free self-learning courses, and comprehensive incubation support. This program is designed to address the distinct challenges that women face when starting and growing businesses. In partnership with Britannia Industries Limited, the initiative will also offer financial grants and feature their products and services on the Skill India Digital Hub, reflecting a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for women entrepreneurs.
Aligning with the government’s commitment to fostering women’s entrepreneurship, this program will be implemented in multiple phases to ensure comprehensive support and maximum impact.
Divided into two phases, NSDC, with support from the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), will offer free online self-learning entrepreneurship courses through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). These courses, available in multiple languages, will cover crucial topics such as entrepreneurial skills, enterprise setup, finance basics, digital skills, and market analysis.
In the next phase, NSDC extends robust incubation support to 10,000 shortlisted contestants across 100 business models. This support encompasses business model selection, entrepreneurship development programs, industrial workshops, business registration assistance, project report preparation, and guidance on funding through various government entrepreneurship and startup schemes. Additionally, participants’ products and services will be highlighted on SIDH’s e-commerce platform, UdhyamKart and Britannia’s digital ecosystem for women entrepreneurship.
NSDC will conduct periodic impact assessments to evaluate the success and sustainability of the supported businesses, ensuring the program’s long-term effectiveness.
This initiative marks a significant effort to broaden the reach and visibility of women-led enterprises, creating a supportive ecosystem that empowers women entrepreneurs to realize their full potential. The partnership between NSDC and Britannia highlights a shared commitment to cultivating an environment where women entrepreneurs can flourish and significantly contribute to India’s economic advancement
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- By Rabindra
1, Aug 2024
“BHARAT- After 1303 Years, RISES THE GOLDEN BIRD” by Ajay Mishra throws light upon India’s glorious past and its revival under the leadership of Narendra Modi
A veteran of the IT & Telecom sector, Ajay Mishra has come up with another brilliant book “BHARAT- After 1303 Years, RISES THE GOLDEN BIRD“. In his latest book, Mishra takes his readers on a journey through the archives of India’s history. From its golden era to its downfall and eventual resurgence under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the writer has compiled all the facts meticulously.
Written in English language, this book has been Published by ‘Kitab Ghar’. This book is specially useful for people who have keen interest in India’s history because it contains a comprehensive account of Bharat’s rich history, detailing the impact of Islamic invasion and British rule, as well as the roles of key political leaders post-independence. Ajay Mishra has been actively working on various prestigious designations in the IT & Telecom sector for the past 25 years and has won many prestigious awards.
The book spectacularly integrates the history of RSS and that of India since 1925. It brings out interesting facts such as the independence of Dadar and Nagar Haveli which happened due to the initiative of the RSS and that of Goa, which India reclaimed after initiative of Indian government and support from RSS and Egypt. Ajay Mishra’s narrative is very engaging and informative, which makes the book an enjoyable read for history enthusiasts to understand the complexities of Bharat’s past.
Mishra brings out the initiatives and successes of the Modi regime which has brought the global spotlight on India’s rise. He has specifically mentioned PM Modi’s contribution to the nation in the book by praising him for restoring Bharat’s lost glory and earning global recognition.
Another interesting aspect of this book is its attention to detail, as Ajay Mishra has tried to provide a thorough examination of historical events and their consequences. Additionally, author has presented the impact and roles of Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi as political leaders post-independence.
Some readers may find the book’s perspective to be somewhat one-sided, but it remains a worthwhile read for those interested in understanding the dynamics of Bharat’s past and present. Overall, “BHARAT- After 1303 Years, RISES THE GOLDEN BIRD” is a well-researched and engaging book that offers valuable insights into Bharat’s complex history with all highs and lows. This book is about the golden era of Bharat, it’s downfall and how it regains the lost glory under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi’s leadership.
1, Aug 2024
HID Partners with Inner Range to Bring Customers Wallet-Enabled Readers
BANGALORE, India – August 01, 2024 – HID®, a worldwide leader in trusted identity solutions, today announced an extended partnership with its trusted partner Inner Range, a global provider of integrated access control systems and solutions, to offer Inner Range customers a new range of SIFER credential compatible with wallet-enabled readers, based on HID’s signature line of access control readers, HID Signo®.
“The sheer opportunity to further deepen collaboration with our partners excites us. Mobile access is rapidly becoming a dominant force in reshaping the physical access security industry and we are glad to be able to extend the mobile access in wallet solution to Inner Range to solidify its position as an integrated access control solutions provider globally,” says Prabhuraj Patil, Senior Director, Physical Access Control Solutions, Asean and India Subcontinent, HID.
Patil adds, “Inner Range customers will get all the benefits of adding mobile credentials in Apple or Google Wallet (and other OEM wallets in the near future), designed for the future of workplace. I’m excited by the potential of this technology partnership, as we continue to collaborate on future projects, enabled with HID’s secured, sustainable and future-proof identity solutions.”
Leveraging HID’s wallet-enabled readers, Inner Range enriches its reader product portfolio, providing its customers an additional choice of adding HID mobile credentials in wallet, giving employees, tenants and visitors secure and easy access to office spaces, meeting rooms, printers, lockers and other facilities with a tap of their smartphone or smart watch near the Inner Range SIFER- enabled readers, powered by HID Signo. The in-wallet solution powered by HID Mobile Access provides industry leading user-experience while employing advanced encryption and security protocols to ensure that access to facilities is both safe and secure.
“We are delighted with the success of our recent collaboration with HID. At Inner Range, providing our customers with a seamless user experience is a core objective for our security solutions. Adding SIFER credential support to the HID Signo reader achieves this perfectly and provides significant opportunity for Inner Range and our channel by offering future proof solutions that incorporates both our technologies,” says Gabriel Daher, VP and GM of Inner Range.
Daher adds, “This strategic partnership is a significant milestone that underscores our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional value to our customers. We are excited to share this groundbreaking news with our current and prospective clients, confident that it will exceed their expectations. As we continue to strengthen our alliance with HID, we are eager to embark on future projects that promise to harness the full potential of HID technology, with details to be revealed in due course.”
1, Aug 2024
IIT Roorkee, in Partnership with C-DOT and IIT Mandi, Commits to Develop Cell-Free 6G Network
August 1, 2024: In a significant step towards developing Indigenous state-of-the-art next-generation telecommunications technology, the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi (IIT Mandi) has signed an agreement with the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India for the development of “Cell-Free 6G Access Points”.
The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme of Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, which has been designed for providing funding support to domestic companies, Indian startups, academia and R&D institutions involved in technology design, development, commercialization of telecommunication products and solutions. This scheme aims to enable affordable broadband and mobile services, playing a significant role in bridging the digital divide across India.
Traditional mobile networks use cellular topologies in which each cell is serviced by a single base station like 4G/5G to service mobile customers. ‘Cell-Free’ Massive MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output) eliminates the idea of cells and cell boundaries by deploying several access points (APs) across a vast region to serve many user devices at the same time. A large number of APs are dedicated to each user within their coverage area, meaning a single user may be supported by many APs. This ensures ubiquitous connectivity to the users, eliminates dead zones, enhances signal strength, and significantly boosts data speeds, offering an exceptional user experience even in densely populated areas.
This 6G project will focus on developing APs for enabling the upcoming 6G radio access networks and also aims to contribute to the 6G standardization activity, drive commercialization, generate intellectual property rights (IPRs), and develop a skilled workforce to support the emerging 6G landscape.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by the CEO, C-DOT – Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, the principal investigator – Dr Abhay Kumar Sah from IIT Roorkee, the co-investigator – Dr Adarsh Patel from IIT Mandi along with the Director of C-DOT – Dr Pankaj Kumar Dalela.
At the event, Dr Sah and Dr Patel affirmed their dedication to advancing next-generation communication technologies, aligning with the Prime Minister’s Bharat 6G Vision. They expressed their gratitude to DOT and C-DOT for the opportunity to collaborate on this research, emphasizing that it bolsters efforts to enhance cutting-edge research capabilities and infrastructure in the telecom sector.
Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO, C-DOT underscored the key role of indigenously designed & developed technologies in meeting the specific requirements of communication for our diverse country, reaffirming the commitment towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. He also said this will help us generating IPRs in 6G domain and emerging technologies in the area of 6G.
Prof. K.K. Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, remarked: ” This partnership with C-DOT marks a pivotal step in our commitment to indigenous development of state-of-the-art telecommunications technologies. IIT Roorkee is proud to lead this initiative, which aligns perfectly with our mission to foster innovation and excellence in research. This collaboration significantly contributes to India’s 6G vision and reinforces our position as a leader in technological advancements”.
Representatives from C-DOT, IIT Roorkee, and IIT Mandi expressed their enthusiasm and commitment to this collaborative endeavor, underscoring their dedication to developing and shaping India’s 6G vision.
1, Aug 2024
1 in 5 APAC Organizations Turn to AI/ML for API Security, Latest F5 Research Finds
INDIA, August 1, 2024 – APAC organizations are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) enabled solutions to tackle a wide array of security challenges around Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), according to F5’s inaugural 2024 Strategic Insights: API Security in APAC report. The report examines the challenges and opportunities in API security in Asia Pacific (APAC), as APIs continue to power the region’s digital experiences.
With APIs increasingly being the point of attack for cybercriminals, one in five APAC organizations have adopted AI/ML technologies to detect and mitigate sophisticated threats, such as server-side request forgery (SSRF), that may be overlooked by traditional security measures. API Gateways (20%) are also widely adopted by organizations across the region for strong access control and to mitigate a broad spectrum of vulnerabilities such as unrestricted access to sensitive business flows.
“Applications have become the front door to cybercrime, and cybercriminals increasingly use APIs as the key. Across the APAC region, we have seen more attacks, with increasing speed, scale and sophistication as cybercriminals leverage AI-powered tools,” said Mohan Veloo, Chief Technology Officer for Asia Pacific, China and Japan, F5. “As such, protecting API connections and the data that runs through them has become the critical security challenge for APAC organizations, especially with many looking to deliver AI.”
“In India, we are currently witnessing a huge rise in application-based businesses, opening new avenues for cyber attackers, which has led to the rising demand for cybersecurity solutions. Businesses are prioritizing investments in security infrastructure, to ensure protection for their applications. According to our 2024 Strategic Insights: API Security in APAC report, the majority of Indian businesses are prioritizing API security testing, access control, and runtime protection for comprehensive API security,” said Pratik Shah, Managing Director of India and SAARC, F5. “At F5, we strive to understand our customers’ challenges through surveys, offering insights and solutions to help IT decision-makers build a strong security foundation; this report of ours is evidence of the same. The insights in this report offer a strategic overview of API security challenges and opportunities, enabling us to help our customers align challenges to solutions.”
“APAC organizations are facing unique API security challenges that differ significantly from global OWASP rankings. The research highlights the pressing need for tailored security measures to address specific risks such as Broken Authentication, Server-Side Request Forgery, and Security Misconfiguration. Countries like Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, and India are prioritizing these issues, reflecting the diverse API adoption patterns across the region. It’s clear that a focus on robust testing, strong access control and continuous runtime protection is essential for a holistic API security approach in APAC,” said Manoj Menon, Founder and CEO at Twimbit.
While APAC organizations look to protect their APIs during runtime, many also increasingly recognize the importance of guarding APIs right from development. Having robust code security standards and practices (17.5%) has emerged as a fundamental strategy among the region’s organizations to guard APIs against a broad range of complex vulnerabilities, from Broken Object Level Authorization and Security Misconfiguration issues to SSRF.
“Today, API security is more important, but also more complex than ever. Findings from our report clearly show that more organizations are shifting left along the API lifecycle, while still attempting to shield right. F5 is bringing advanced API code testing and telemetry analysis to F5 Distributed Cloud Services, creating the industry’s most comprehensive and AI-ready API security solution. F5 Distributed Cloud Services can offer API discovery, testing, posture management, and runtime protection, all in a single platform, allowing organizations to gain true visibility and security from code to cloud,” Veloo added.
Some key India findings from the 2024 Strategic Insights: API Security in APAC report include:
· Rising Security Concerns around Broken Authentication (API2) and Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF):
o Broken Authentication: Broken Authentication has been marked by 15% of respondents as a top concern, aligning with the APAC average of 15%. The prevalent use of Webhooks (37%) and REST APIs (43%) necessitates strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access. Securing authentication processes is vital to protect user identities and sensitive data.
o Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF): It is also a significant concern in India, with 15% of respondents indicating it as a top issue, compared to 13.8% in APAC. The high use of GraphQL (40%) and SOAP (37%) protocols highlights the importance of validating user-supplied URLs to prevent SSRF attacks. Implementing robust validation mechanisms is essential to safeguard against malicious requests.
· India Prioritizes API Security Testing, Access Control, and Runtime Protection for Comprehensive API Security: In India, API Security Testing is the highest priority, with 57% of respondents marking it as a top concern, exceeding the APAC average of 52%. API Access Control, including Authentication and Authorization, is another critical priority, highlighted by 47% of respondents, slightly above the APAC average of 46%. The significant use of Internal (67%) and Public (57%) APIs emphasizes the need for robust access control mechanisms, aligned with OWASP API2 and API5. Additionally, API Runtime Protection is crucial, with 43% of respondents marking it as a top concern compared to 36% in APAC, driven by the high use of Internal (67%) and REST (43%) APIs.
· Significant Adoption of Code Security Solutions: Code security solutions are the most adopted API security solutions in India, with an 18.0% adoption rate. This highlights the importance of secure coding practices and static code analysis to prevent vulnerabilities from being introduced during the development phase. By integrating code security solutions with AIML technologies, businesses can proactively identify and address potential security issues, ensuring a secure API environment from the ground up.
· Critical Role of API Gateways in API Security: API Gateways play a crucial role in India’s API security strategy, with a 16.5% adoption rate. The use of API Gateways helps manage and secure API traffic, providing essential controls for access and consumption, which is critical given India’s significant use of RPC (43%) and REST APIs (43%).
· Adoption of AIML Solutions for Comprehensive Protection: AIML solutions are another key focus for India, with a 16.5% adoption rate. The rise in the adoption of AIML solutions demonstrates India’s proactive approach to leveraging advanced technologies for comprehensive threat detection and prevention, ensuring robust security measures across dynamic API environments.
To evaluate the current landscape of API security in APAC, Twimbit conducted research on behalf of F5 in H1 of 2024, surveying 297 professionals from various sectors, including security, DevOps, SecOps, and application development. Respondents were distributed across 11 APAC markets: Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.
1, Aug 2024
Bharatnatyam Exponent Apeksha Niranjan performed ‘Naadniranjanam’ at Tirumal Tirupati Devastanam
Bharatnatyam Exponent Apeksha Niranjan performed at Tirumal Tirupati Devastanam, Andhra Pradesh on 29th July 2024 at 3pm.
Tirumala Devsthanam, the richest pilgrimage centre in the world invites prominent dancers and musicians to offer their art to Lord Tirupati Balaji as a part of ‘Naadniranjanam’.
During the ‘Naadniranjanam’ Apeksha has presented a Bharatanatyam recital
‘Vishnu Vilasam’, (the grandeur of Lord Vishnu) along with the dancer from her institute, Nrityanjali Performed Arts.
The recital was about the greatness of presiding deity of the temple Lord Vishnu and his various forms. Apeksha was working extensively on Marathi Abhangas. She presented some special Abhangas choreographed by her as a part of the recital.
1, Aug 2024
MultiFit Celebrates 9 Years of Revolutionizing the Fitness Industry
Pune, August 2024- MultiFit, founded with the noble purpose of fostering a vibrant community of fitness enthusiasts dedicated to sharing and embracing the essence of fitness with everyone, proudly announces its 9th anniversary. MultiFit’s mission is to develop a broad community of fitness lovers who inspire others to adopt fitness as a practical and integral part of their lives.
For nearly a decade, MultiFit has been at the forefront of promoting holistic wellness. With interactive programs like Woof Gang, FittyParty, Socials, Outbounds, War of MultiFitters and Ultimate Bounce, it has made fitness a dynamic and enjoyable experience for all their members. As it celebrates its 9th anniversary, MultiFit continues to captivate fitness enthusiasts around the world with its unique approach to fitness and wellness.
The anniversary celebrations at MultiFit have been a grand testament to the journey and impact the brand has had on the fitness landscape. Festivities commenced with a ceremonial cake cutting at every center, creating a sense of unity and celebration among members. This was followed by the thrilling “War of MultiFitters”, a series of competitive events designed to test the mettle of participants across all MultiFit centers.
The War of MultiFitters was a combination of various high-energy challenges, each crafted to push the participants to their limits and showcase their fitness prowess. The enthusiasm and spirit were palpable as MultiFitters from different centers competed fiercely, displaying incredible determination and camaraderie. The semifinals, held at MultiFit Grand Tamanna, were nothing short of spectacular. Participants gave their all, pushing through grueling challenges and displaying exceptional skill and sportsmanship.
The grand finale at MultiFit Kharadi was a fitting climax, featuring electrifying performances and an atmosphere charged with excitement. The event was further elevated by the presence of Health and Recovery partners like Curapod by litemed and UpUrFit who added to the celebratory spirit with their support and contributions. The coveted title of War of MultiFitters was ultimately won by the team from MultiFit Kalyani Nagar Annexe, who demonstrated outstanding performance and teamwork throughout the competition.
In addition to the competitive events, the celebrations on the 27th included MultiFit Socials, a social gathering aimed at bringing MultiFitters together to celebrate their achievements in the War of MultiFitters and to forge new connections. The gathering was a testament to the strong community that MultiFit has built over the years, where members not only strive for personal fitness goals but also support and motivate each other.
Reflecting on this milestone, Deepti Sharma, Director of MultiFit, expressed her enthusiasm: “As we celebrate our 9th anniversary, we are proud of our journey in transforming fitness into a fun and holistic lifestyle. Looking ahead, we aim to continue expanding and innovating, bringing dynamic and engaging experiences to fitness enthusiasts worldwide.”
MultiFit remains at the forefront of innovation and inspiration, offering a diverse range of programs tailored to all fitness levels, from beginners to elite athletes. Looking ahead, MultiFit is dedicated to pushing boundaries and empowering individuals to achieve their fitness goals.
1, Aug 2024
Azent Overseas Education Unveils its State-of-the-Art Center in Chennai
Chennai, 1 Aug 2024: Azent Overseas Education, a leading global education consultancy, unveils its new center in Chennai. This state-of-the-art facility is set to revolutionize the study abroad experience for students in the region, offering unparalleled resources and personalized guidance to help them achieve their academic and career aspirations abroad. Conveniently located in the city, the Chennai center provides easy accessibility to all visiting students.
Priyanka Nishar, Founder and Managing Director of Azent Overseas Education said, “Our mission is to empower students to reach their full potential by providing them with the tools, resources, and guidance they need to succeed on the global stage. The Chennai center boasts cutting-edge technology and modern amenities designed to provide a comprehensive and immersive educational support experience.”
Azent’s personalized counseling with expert counselors offering one-on-one guidance tailored to each student’s academic background, career goals, and personal preferences will help students in selecting the right course and university from over 1200 universities across USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland and Singapore.
Through extensive use of Virtual Reality (VR) at its “Experience Centre”, students can experience university campuses in Virtual Reality. Additionally, the Chennai center will also offer resources and Test Preparation for IELTS which is critical for university admissions overseas.
Azent’s team of seasoned education counselors can further guide students through the loan application process, offering insights into the various financing options available, terms and practices and help provide timely solution to streamline and expedite the loan application process for students.
With centers already established in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Baroda and Bangalore, the new Chennai center is poised to become a hub of excellence for aspiring international students in the region.
To study abroad is a life changing decision for Indian students and their families. They need impartial guidance backed by a good knowledge base and up to date information. Azent aims to offer these to the students by using modern technology like AI, data mining etc. Azent focuses on diverse offerings, providing students with the best possible admissions guidance, while keeping in mind their individual strengths, to set them up for future success.
1, Aug 2024
Wondrlab and Bharat Matrimony play to win as they launch the ‘Wedding Games’ campaign
Mumbai, 1st August, 2024: As the world gears up for the international games to win gold, Matrimony.com, India’s biggest matrimony company, is set to win hearts with its innovative ‘Wedding Games’ campaign. This timely initiative cleverly intertwines the excitement of the games (or rather sports) with the anticipation of the upcoming wedding season.
The campaign features two captivating films that humorously portray the ‘international-level’ challenges faced by singles during wedding season. These witty films showcase protagonists deftly dodging intrusive questions about their marriage plans from eager relatives.
Arjun Bhatia, Chief Marketing Officer at Matrimony.com, shared his insights on the campaign and the company’s unique approach: “Matchmaking is not just a simplistic game of pairing based on superficial criteria. It’s not about finding a partner; it’s about finding the right partner who aligns with your unique essence. This campaign humorously highlights the pressures singles face, while showcasing how Bharat Matrimony offers a more thoughtful, personalized experience.”
Bhavesh Kosambia and Rahul Chandwani, Content Leads at Wondrlab, the creative minds behind the campaign, explained: “We landed a strong insight – during the wedding season, a lot of the prospects who are of marriageable age, attend weddings of their friends and family. They are often questioned about their wedding plans, and these prospects try and dodge such questions. The campaign is a set of two films where we see such protagonists try and avoid pestering guests, albeit dramatized for entertainment as though they were athletes. Bharat Matrimony comes in as the perfect place to find the answers to these questions as they can log on to find their perfect life partners.”
1, Aug 2024
Veranda K-12 expands to bring Cambridge education to Eastern India
KOLKATA, 1st August 2024: Veranda K-12, a Veranda Learning enterprise, announced that it’s expanding its support to schools in Eastern India, starting with Kolkata, in collaboration with the International Education group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge). As a Cambridge Associate, Veranda K-12 helps schools understand and meet the standards required to offer Cambridge programmes and qualifications.
This collaboration aims to incorporate 500 new Indian schools into Cambridge’s educational community. As Indian students increasingly seek global education opportunities, the demand for a versatile and robust educational framework meeting international standards has surged, especially in Tier 2 and Tier-3 cities. This is exemplified by Cambridge India’s 2024 results, where over 18000 students for March exam series showed an 18% annual increase in demand for the Cambridge International AS & A Level.
Responding to this growing need, Cambridge plans to broaden its reach to 1,000 schools nationwide, working directly with schools and partners to deliver the Cambridge curriculum effectively, making international education more accessible to students across the country. Cambridge programmes and qualifications set a global standard for education and are recognised by universities and employers worldwide. The Cambridge Pathway curriculum is flexible, challenging and inspiring, culturally sensitive yet international in approach. Each stage shapes learners’ knowledge, understanding skills and helps prepare them for university and beyond.
Arun Rajamani, Managing Director at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, South Asia, observed, “India’s educational landscape represents much potential and diversity. With a burgeoning youthful demographic, the imperative for a robust, high-quality educational infrastructure that aligns local and global standards has never been more critical. By working with Veranda K -12, we will be able to give more students across India the opportunity to follow the Cambridge Pathway. Globally we work directly and with partners to offer Cambridge programmes and qualification to schools and we will continue to work directly with schools, as well as through partners, to extend our reach beyond metropolitan cities and assist schools in seamlessly offering the Cambridge curriculum.”
Veranda K-12 will offer a range of services to schools including provision of expert teachers, comprehensive teacher training programmes, infra enhancement, developing co-curricular activities and capacity building.
Vinay Sharma, Cambridge’s new Senior Vice President for International Education in South Asia, noted, “Cambridge has undertaken significant strides in broadening the horizon of international curricula across India. Cambridge fosters higher-order thinking skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, independent research, collaboration, and presenting arguments. These transferable skills enhance lifelong learning and make education enjoyable and rewarding. They also help learners to get ready for the world. We are excited to join hands with Veranda K-12 in our mission to make international education more accessible.”
The Veranda K-12 advantage
Veranda K-12’s partnership with Cambridge will support schools through the entire process of affiliation and implementation of the Cambridge curriculum. This includes initial orientation, teacher training, continuous support, and performance monitoring to ensure schools achieve the desired educational outcomes.
Mr. Subramanyam Kantheti, CEO of Veranda K-12, expressed his enthusiasm for the venture: “We are excited to bring Cambridge’s world-class education to the eastern part of India. Our goal is to empower schools with the resources and guidance they need to deliver a transformative educational experience. By leveraging Cambridge’s robust curriculum and our expertise in educational implementation, we are confident that we can drive significant improvements in student performance and school success.” Veranda K-12 manages 5 schools, 5500 plus students, and 500 plus team members spread across South India.
Safe Harbour
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements regarding our plans, strategies, intentions, and beliefs concerning our business and the markets in which we operate. We assume no obligation to update these statements as circumstances change. There are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Readers and investors are advised to exercise caution in taking an investment decision based on the above press release.
